FDA Regulations for Environmental Monitoring (EM) Program

Upon completion of this training, you will be able to Describe how Clean room Environmental Monitoring (EM) Program fits into the Regulations. Explain the basis of the Four (4) Phases of Clean room transitional monitoring (Pre-qualification through post-qualification EM) and what each type stands for. List the basic content of a well-designed, effective and compliant EM Program. Explain the relationship between an EM Excursion Program and CAPA

The cost of non-compliance is therefore more than that of compliance. Are you in compliance with the FDA regulations for Cleaning Validations of your manufacturing equipment?

Areas Covered in the Session :

• Applicable Regulations – Where does the EM Program fit in the Regulation? – Role of Clean room Environmental Monitoring Program?
• Basics of Setting a Robust and Effective EM Program – Key Considerations – Relevant Material Verification Processes – Steps and Content of an EM Program Testing Procedure
• Processing a Completed Environmental Monitoring Test Media – Sample Handling and Incubation – Documentation and Data Management of EM Test Results – What is the EM Test Data used for? – Retention of EM Test Results – Interpretation of EM Test Results
• Basics of Designing an Effective and Compliant EM Trend Reports – Types; Content – Using Trend Report as a Critical Tool and Quality Metrics
• Basics of Designing an Effective and Compliant EM Excursion Program – Types; Content – Handling EM Excursion Investigation – Handling Impacted Manufactured Batches – Disposition of Affected Products with Failed Clean room EM Test Results
• Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) – Relationship between CAPA and EM Test Data Excursion Investigations Question and Answer Session

Who Should Attend:

• Quality Control Departments
• Quality Assurance Departments
• Microbiologists
• Facilities Staff
• Chemists and Analysts
• Manufacturing Departments
• Validation Departments
• Engineering Departments
• Sterility Assurance Departments
• Compliance Departments
• Testing Technicians
• Environmental Testing Personnel
• Raw Materials Manufacturers
• Clinical, Research and Development Departments
• Laboratories Personnel

Course Director: Joy McElroy 

Upon earning a degree in Zoology at North Carolina State University, Joy began working in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in 1992 at Pharmacia & UpJohn performing Environmental Monitoring and Sterility Testing. Her work allowed her to move into a supervisory role at Abbott Laboratories where she oversaw the Quality Control Lab. In 1998 Joy moved to Wyeth Lederle and worked in Quality Assurance, performing GMP Compliance audits, batch record reviews, and holding annual GMP training for new employees. After working in Quality Assurance for a few years, Joy moved into Equipment Qualification and Cleaning Validation at Mallinckrodt.

With 19 years of experience as a consultant, and over 25 years total experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Joy has gained extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance, Technical Writing, Process and Cleaning Validation, and Equipment Qualification and Computer System Validation and Part 11 Compliance. She has written and executed Equipment Qualifications and Validation Protocols for numerous Companies such as Mallinckrodt, Wyeth Lederle, Merck, BioMerieux, Catalent, and Biotest, Novartis, Imprimis, Cody Laboratories, and Xceilence.

Her knowledge, experience, have made her a highly sought-after engineer, technical writer, and trainer in both the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Joy specializes in Equipment Qualification, Cleaning Validation, and GMP Compliance Auditing, and technical writing, and GMP, Audit Preparation, and SOP writing training, Computer System Validation and Part Compliance.

In 2019 she opened her own company, McElroy Training and Consultancy, LLC which provides consultants for various projects as well as on and off – site training to pharmaceutical and biotech companies throughout the United States.

Joy also spends her time mentoring and speaking as an Empowerment Speaker. Her goal is to empower people all over the world to live their dreams though implementing 5 simple techniques she has learned and applied through the years.